AJP - Renal Physiology, Vol 249, Issue 6 967-F972, Copyright © 1985 by American Physiological Society
Purine nucleotides stimulate DNA synthesis in kidney epithelial cells in culture
S. Kartha and F. G. Toback
Adenine nucleotides infused into animals with acute renal failure appear to
enhance recovery of kidney function and structure. To determine whether
these compounds could act by a direct effect on renal cell metabolism,
their capacity to stimulate DNA synthesis was evaluated in cultures of
monkey kidney epithelial cells (BSC-1 line). AMP and ADP enhanced DNA
synthesis by threefold more than was previously observed with other
mitogens for these cells. Guanosine and inosine and their nucleotides and
adenosine and ATP were also mitogenic but to a lesser extent, whereas
pyrimidine derivatives were ineffective. In the presence of AMP,
autoradiography of [3H]thymidine-labeled cells indicated that a greater
number of cells entered the S phase of the cell cycle, and assessment of
cell number revealed increased multiplication. The mitogenic effect of
adenine nucleotides was not reproduced by agents that raise the cellular
content of cAMP and was serum independent. Adenine nucleotides did not
alter DNA synthesis when added to cultures of mouse fibroblasts. These
results indicate that provision of exogenous purine nucleosides and
nucleotides stimulate DNA synthesis in renal epithelial cells in culture.
